Bottle-stoppering machine



Jan. 15, 1929.

W. O. P. RIECK BOTTLE STOPPERING m cnrma Filed June 14, 1926 ffyiZ7r0far M Q/ /P/Pa/r r III 1 Patented Jan. 15, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILHELM OTTO PAUL RIECK, OF HAMBURG-BARMBEGK, GERMANY.

BOTTLE-STQPPERING MACHINE.

Application filed June 14, 1926, Serial No. 116,005, and in GermanySeptember 19, 1925.

This invention relates to bottle-stoppering machines and moreparticularly to crowncork-stoppering machines in which differences oflevel of the bottles are compensated for hydraulically by means ofdisplacer pistons movable in the axial direction of the bottles.

In machines of this kind heretofore known the operation of the displacerpiston disposed beneath the bottle carrier was such that it maintainedthe latter at a prede termined elevation only so long as the pressureexercised on the bottle head when corking or stoppering the bottle didnot exceed the predetermined amount. In other words, the equalization ofthe levels was effected at the commencement, during or after thestoppering operation, and was associated with the drawback that for thecommencement ofthe compensating movement an increase of the pressure onthe bottles was essential which in certain circumstances, in cases ofdefective operation of the parts which limit the extent of this increaseof pressure, may

' occasion breakages of bottles and other drawbacks.

As distinguished from prior proposals, according to the invention thecompensation for differences in level is effected before the stopperingpressure proper is applied. Since at the time the stoppering pressure isaplied the correct adjustment has already been effected there is no riskof damaging bottles on account of excessive increase of pressure. Thisresult is obtained by reason that the overflow port for the liquiddisplaced by the piston is arranged to be closed by a valve controlledto close just before the stoppering operation proper. Preferably thecompensating device is incorporated in the stopper ing head, though itmay be incorporated in the bottle carrier. In the former case thetelescopically movable stoppering head descends with unimpededdisplacement of the liquid until it bears on the neck of the bottleirrespective of the elevation of the latter and only shortly before thestoppering pressure isapplied the overflow port is positively closed sothat now the displacer piston and the associated cylinder are positivelycoupled in the direction of pressure, in that the liquid contained inthe closed space constitutes a rigid connection between the piston andthe cylinder. The descent of the stoppering head is effected by means ofa cam disc which is also formed with a cam face for positivelycontrolling the over-flow valve. 1

In the accompanylng drawing there is illustrated, by Way of example, a.machine comprising a plurality of stoppering heads with a like number ofbottle carriers arranged for rotation synchronously therewith around avertical axis, it being understood that the invention is equallyapplicable to machines for cor-king or stoppering a single bottleemploying a single vertically movable bottle carrier or stoppering head.

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of one embodiment illustrating theessential elements.

Fig. 2 is a similar section showing a modification. I

Referring to Fig. 1, the stoppering heads 1 of usual construction, inthe present case six in number are mounted for rotation around acentral. vertical axis 2. The stoppering members proper are eachattached to a cylinder 3 movable in a bearing lug l. The several bearinglugs are integral with a sleeve 5 rotatable around the axis 2. Mountedfor movement within the cylinder is a displacer piston 6 having acentral overflow port? and an eccentric overflowport 8 which latter iscontrolled by a conical valve 9. The piston. is suspended by means of aroll 10 from a cam track 11 on a disc 12 concentric with the axis 2, andis caused to reciprocate by means of a roller 13 carried by the pistonand bearing against the lower face of the cam track. The stem 13 of thevalve 9 is influenced by a spring 14 which tends to hold the valve?)closed and carries a follower roll 15, which is urged by the springagainst a second cam track 16 on the disc 12.

The cam track 11 is so formed that during the rotation around the axis 2each stoppering head descends into operative relation with the relativebottle likewise rotatable around the axis 2, before the bottle hasreached the position where the stoppering pressure is applied, that isthe right hand position shown in Fig. 1. As the valve 9 is held openuntil thestoppering head bears on the bottle neck, liquid flows freelyfrom the cylinder 3 through the port 8 to the interior of the piston. 1The cam track 16 is .so formed that shortly before the bottle thus fullycompensated for, nevertheless, during the stoppermg operation proper,111 consequence of lrregu-larlties 1n the iormation of the beads on thebottle necks, there is a risk of dangerous pressure bein applied. Toeliminate this risk there is provided a safety valve 17 serving to closethe central port 7, said valve openinginwardly, that is into theinterior of the piston 6, and the spindle 18 of said valve beingsurrounded by a spring 19 whiclr normally holds the conical valve 17 inclosed position. The spring 19 is of such dimensions that only in theevent of thcpressure becoming eX- 'cessive during the stopperingoperation is the valve/17 automatically opened.

For manual adjustment there is provided.

a bypass 20 adapted to be controlled by a set screw 21. functioning asaneedle valve and serving when in open position to establishcommunication between the liquid space in the cylinder 3 and theinterior of the piston 6.

The constructionshown inil ig. 2 differs from that shown in Fig; 1 inrespect that the controlled overflow valve and the selfclosing overflowvalve are coaxial. the second valve being fitted withinthe hollowspindle of the first valve. It is thus rendered possible to increase thediameter of the controlled valve mcmberto approximately the diameter ofthe displacer piston so as to obtain increased certainty in operationand permit convenient adjustment of the spring pressure acting on theself-closing valve. Also, the controlled valve member is operativelyrelated to a push-rodmoved by a cam in a manner which permits convenientassembly and dismantlemcnt ofthe parts.

Unlike the construction shown inFig. 1 the displacer piston (3 of theconstruction shown in Fig. 2 has at its lower endia valve seatBO coaxialwiththe piston, the diameter of which seat approximates to the pistondiameter. This valve seat is engaged by a valve disc 31 forming theoverflow valve proper. The stem 32 of the valve disc 31 has a centralb1ore-33 adapted to be closed by a conical valve 34 having peripheralgrooves The conical valve member 34: is subject to the pressure of thespring 36 which at the end remote from the valve member bears on the endoi asleeve 37 adjustably screwed into the stem 32 and serving as a guidefor the stem 38 of the valve 34. Should the valve 34 be lifted inopposition to the spring 36 on occasion of excess pressure, the grooves35 establish communication between the bore 35 and cross passages 39 inthe tubular valve stem 32 and thus establish communication between thetwo sides of the piston; The valve disc 31 is held in closed positionbya spring 40 and the stem 32 carries at its upper end a disc ilengageable by the cam-influenced push-rod 13. Preferably also a lighthelical spring 42 acts on the under side ofthe piston 6, the spring 2urging the roll against a cam track 11 to compensate for wear of theupper track on whichthe roll 10 bears. The operation of the constructionshown in Fig, 2 is otherwise the same as that ofthe construction shownin Fig. 1.

I claim 1. A bottle stoppering machine comprising a reciprocating head,said head'including a telescoping piston and cylinder with. a chamberiii-between for confining a body of liquid, means forreciprocating saidhead and transmitting cappingpressure from one 01' said members throughsaid body of liquid to the other of said members and thence to thehottie to be stoppered, a valve for permitting cilSlfltwcllll-ll't ofpartof said liquid in IQSPUHSU to initial reaction 01 said bottleagainst the adjacent member, to compensate for *ariations in the heightsof the bottles, and meznis for closing said valve at a constant point ineach similar phase of operation of the device, and a spring closedrelief valve for permitting displacement of the liquid after the cappingpressure has been applied, only upon the reaction of pressure from saidbottle in excess oi the normal capping press-sure.

2. A. bottle stopper-mgmachine compria ing a reciprocating head, saidhead including a telescoping. piston and cylinder with achamberinehetween for confining a body of liquid, means forreciprocating said head and transmitting capping pressure from oneofsaid members through said body of liquid to the other ofsaid membersand thence to the bottle to be stoppered, a valve for permittingdisplacement of part of said liquid in response to initial reaction ofsaid bottle against the adjacent member, to compensate for variations inthe hz-zigh-ts of the bottles, and means tor closing said valve atacoustant point in each similar phase of operation of the device, and a.ing closed relief valve for permitting displacement of the liquid afterthe cappi pressure has been applied, only upon the reaction of pressurefrom said bottl in excess of the normal capping pressure the two saidvalves being coaxial, the first mentioned valve having a hollow stemwithin which the second mentioned valve is disposed.

in testimony whercoi I have signed my name to specification.

WILHELM OTTO PAUL RIECK.

